- 2017

Undergraduate

Minor / Major

Commencement year

This area of study entry applies to students commencing this course in 2017 and should be read in conjunction with the relevant course entry in the Handbook.

Any units listed for this area of study relate only to the 'Requirements' outlined in the component of any bachelors double degrees.

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Managing faculty

Faculty of Science

Offered by

School of Biological Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Dr Dave Chapple

Location

Clayton

Zoology is the study of the diversity of animals, their evolution, form, function, behaviour and ecology. Animals are integral components of natural systems and they also have a major impact on us as parasites and as pests competing for our food. Zoologists investigate the interactions of animals with plants, which ultimately are the source of nutrients and shelter, and with microbes, which enable many animals to effectively utilise plants as food. Research in zoology can be undertaken at the level of the whole animal down to the level of cell biology, biochemical processes and their genetic control.

Zoology at Monash is taught in state of the art research and teaching labs, and in the semi-rural setting of the on-campus Jock Marshall Reserve, and through field-trips. First year is where the basics of animal evolution, diversity, structure and function are covered. In second year there is a greater focus on these topics in two units that deal with animal diversity and animal structure and function. In third year we develop this understanding further with units focused on animal behaviour and the biology of Australian vertebrate animals. Other units on evolution, ecology, marine biology and environmental management complement the development of broader understanding of the role and importance of animals in our world.

A knowledge of zoology can be used to understand the basics of animal evolution, diversity, structure and function along with animal behaviour and the biology of Australian vertebrate animals. Much of this information is relevant to the management, protection and conservation of animals and provides skills needed in many careers related to these themes. Graduates who have studied zoology may work for government agencies or industry - for example, helping develop or enforce environmental regulations; ecological/environmental consultants; as educators in museums or parks services; or in research at universities, zoos and other organisations.

Availability

Zoology is listed in S2000 Bachelor of Science, S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) and S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) at Clayton as a major or minor.

Outcomes

In addition to achieving the broad outcomes of their course, students successfully completing this major will be able to:

  • demonstrate an understanding of the methods used in zoology and explain how scientific knowledge is contestable and testable by further enquiry and recognise the importance of biodiversity for sustaining life on our planet
  • exhibit a breadth of knowledge of animal diversity and the evolutionary development of the major animal groups, including physiology, morphology, behaviour and ecology
  • gather, synthesise and critically evaluate information relevant to zoology by applying practical and/or theoretical techniques and tools to conduct an investigation within the lab, field or virtual environment.

Units

Minor requirements (24 points)

12 points at level 1 and 12 points at level 2.

Students complete:

  1. One of the following level 1 science sequences (12 points):
  2. The following level 2 units (12 points):

Major requirements (48 points)

12 points at level 1 and at least 18 points at level 3.

Students complete:

  1. The requirements for the minor in zoology
  2. The following two level 3 units (12 points)
  3. Two units (12 points) from the following:
    • BIO2022 Evolutionary ecology
    • BIO3011 Research methods in biology*
    • BIO3021 Marine biology
    • BIO3070 Trends in ecology*
    • BIO3082 Global change biology
    • BIO3091 Biology of Australian vegetation*
    • BIO3111 Ecological applications*
    • BIO3820 Tropical terrestrial biology**
    • BIO3990 Biology in action research project*
    • GEN3030 Molecular, cellular and developmental genetics*
    • GEN3040 Genomics and its applications*
    • GEN3051 Medical and forensic genetics*
    • GEN3062 Evolutionary and ecological genetics*
    • GEN3990 Genetics in action research project*

    * This unit requires additional prerequisites.

    ** This unit has a quota.

Requirements for progressing to honours

Successful completion of BIO3011 (Research methods in biology), BIO3052 (Animal behaviour), BIO3132 (Biology of Australian vertebrates) and a relevant level 3 unit listed under the major.

Refer to S3701 Bachelor of Science (Honours) for full details.

Relevant courses

Bachelors

Single degrees

Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the following single degrees:*

  • S2000 Bachelor of Science
  • S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours)
  • S3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)

Students in other single bachelor's degrees may be eligible to complete the minor or major by using 24 or 48 points of their free electives.

Double degrees

Successful completion of this area of study can be counted towards meeting the requirements for the Bachelor of Science component in the following double degrees:*

  • B2023 Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Science
  • B2016 Bachelor of Commerce Specialist and Bachelor of Science
  • D3005 Bachelor of Education (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • E3007 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • C2003 Bachelor of Information Technology and Bachelor of Science
  • L3007 Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Science
  • S2006 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts
  • S2007 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science
  • S2004 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Computer Science
  • S2003 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Global Studies
  • S2005 Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Music

* Students cannot complete a minor, major or extended major in the same area of study.